Inihayag ni Department of Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa noong December 23, 2024 na ang purchase booklets ay hindi na kailangan para mabigyan ang mga senior citizens ng 20 percent discount kapag bumibili sila ng kanilang mga gamot.
Epektibong ipinatutupad na ito matapos lagdaan ni Herbosa ang Administrative Order No. 2024-0017.
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Sa nasabing kautusan, ang kailangan na lang ipakita ng mga senior citizens kapag bumili ng kanilang gamot sa mga botika ay ang kanilang valid identification card at reseta mula sa doktor para ma-avail nila ang 20 percent discount.
Pahayag ni Herbosa, "I am also a senior citizen. I know it is hard to always bring a purchase booklet with you.
“Seniors need the discount on their medicines, and we must make it easy for them to get that."
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GIFt OF CONVENIENCE TO SENIOR CITIZENS
Ang Administrative Order No. 2024-0017 ng DOH ay nakaagapay sa Republic Act 9994, o ang Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
Ayon pa kay Herbosa, “We at the DOH give this gift of convenience and more affordable medicines to all of our senior citizens.
“Merry Christmas po!"
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IBA PANG AHENSYA HINILING NA ALISIN NA RIN ANG PURCHASE BOOKLET
Pinuri naman ng ilang mambabatas ang naging desisyon ng DOH.
Sinabi ni Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman ng House Ways and Means Committee na panahon na talaga para tanggalin ang booklet ng mga senior citizens.
“Thank the DOH for making permanent the change we requested in the House’s joint committee hearings on senior citizens’, persons with disabilities’, and solo parents’ benefits.
“The 20-percent medicine discount, along with the VAT-free treatment for a significant number of medicines, has been a lifesaver for many senior citizens.”
Dagdag ni Salceda, ang booklet requirement ay kadalasang nagiging sanhi para hindi makabili ang mga senior citizens ng kanilang mga gamot.
Tinatanggihan kasi silang mabigyan ng diskuwento kapag hindi nila ito dala o kaya ay nakalimutan kung saan nailagay.
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Para naman kay United Senior Citizens Partylist Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, maagang Christmas gift ito para sa mahigit 12 milyong Filipino senior citizens.
“This is laudable.
“The deletion of the requirement not only gives premium to elderly convenience, but it is also ecologically sound and friendly.”
Nanawagan din si Magsaysay sa iba pang ahensya ng pamahalaan gaya ng Department of Trade and Industry at Department of Social Welfare and Development na alisin na rin ang purchase booklet para sa discounts sa basic goods and commodities.
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